Apparatus and method for cleaning and renewing a golf grip

ABSTRACT

The disclosed invention may include an open-ended chamber with a series of strands projecting inward. A fluid, such as water or a cleaning fluid, may be disposed within the enclosure. A golf grip is cleaned and renewed by moving the golf grip within the open-ended enclosure such that there is friction between the inwardly projecting strands and the golf grip.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of and priority to provision U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/729,446 to Gerald Vaughn for Golf Grip Cleaner & Renewing System, which was filed on Oct. 24, 2005 and is expressly incorporated by reference into this application

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for cleaning and/or renewing a golf club grip.

BACKGROUND

Gulf grips and deteriorate over time and accumulate dirt, diminishing a player's ability to grip the golf club. Purchasing a new grip for a golf club can be expensive and it may be further difficult to find a golf grip that properly fits a particular club.

Accordingly, a system and method for cleaning and renewing a golf grip is needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of and apparatus for cleaning and renewing a golf grip;

FIG. 2 is a top view of one embodiment of a cleaning chamber; and

FIG. 3 is a side of one embodiment of a golf grip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of several exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as disclosed below, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but is merely representative of the embodiments of the invention.

The word “exemplary” is used exclusively herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Furthermore, as used herein the term “embodiment” may refer to one or more different variations of the disclosed invention and does not necessarily refer to a single variation of the disclosed invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cleaning and renewing apparatus 10 may include an open-ended chamber 12. In one embodiment, the open-ended chamber 12 is a cylinder having one closed end 14, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The closed end 14 may be selectively enclosed using a removable cap 14 or the cap 14 may be integrally formed with the chamber. The chamber may be made of ABS or another polymer, in one embodiment. In one embodiment, the chamber may be about 10 inches tall.

The chamber 12 may be made in various shapes. For example, the chamber 12 may be in a generally cylindrical shape that is, for example, wider at one end than the other end or that is more narrow or wider in the middle than at the extremities. Also, the chamber 12 could be, for example, rectangular shape and does not necessarily have to have a circular cross-sectional shape.

The open-ended chamber 12 also includes an interior surface 16. A series of strands 18 are disposed on an interior surface 16 of the chamber 12. The strands 18 generally project inward toward the center of the chamber 12. The strands 18 may be made of a polymer material, in one embodiment. The strands 18 project inward to define an elongated and in one embodiment cylindrical opening 20 for receiving a golf grip. In another embodiment, the strands 18 generally occupy the entire open space 20 within the chamber 12.

In one embodiment, the cleaning and renewing apparatus 10 may include in absorbent material 22, such as a sponge. The absorbent material 22 may be disposed within the chamber 12 and in one embodiment, near the enclosed end 14 of the chamber 12. The absorbent material 22 may retain a fluid 23, such as water or a cleaning fluid.

The apparatus 10 may also include a cap 24 for closing the open end 26 of the chamber 12. The cap 24 may serve to retain the fluid 23 within the chamber 12.

Using this invention, a golf grip 30, which is illustrated in FIG. 3, may be cleaned and renewed by positioning the golf grip 30 within the chamber 12 such that the strands 18 engage the golf grip 30. Moving the golf grip 30 within the chamber 12 causes friction between the golf grip 30 and the strands 18, resulting in a cleaned and renewed golf grip 30. When and if the golf grip strikes the absorbent material 22, fluid 23 may be discharged from the absorbent material 22 to the top of the golf grip 30. As the golf grip 30 moves within the chamber 12, the strands 18 disburse the fluid 23 across the grip 30 to enhance the cleaning and renewing process.

While specific embodiments and applications of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise configuration and components disclosed herein. Various modifications, changes, and variations which will be apparent to those skilled in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and systems of the present invention disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A golf grip cleaning and renewing apparatus, comprising: an open-ended chamber; an inner surface of the chamber; a series of strands attached to the inner surface of the chamber and projecting generally inward toward a center of the chamber; and an absorbent material disposed within the open-ended chamber.
 2. A method of cleaning and renewing a golf grip: providing a golf cleaning apparatus having: an open-ended chamber; an inner surface of the chamber; a series of strands attached to the inner surface of the chamber and projecting generally inward toward a center of the chamber; and an absorbent material disposed within the open-ended chamber, positioning a golf grip within the open-ended chamber such that the golf grip engages one or more of the stands; and moving the golf grip within the open-ended chamber to cause friction between the strands and the golf grip to clean and renew the golf grip. 